Boykins V. Onondaga County Et Al
Case Background
On November 12, 2024, Plaintiff Minor C.B., by and through his custodial parent Liza Acquah, filed this action to vindicate his Statutorily and Constitutionally protected Civil Rights. The action is based on Defendant Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and individual Deputy Sheriffs using excessive and unwarranted force on Plaintiff Minor C.B. during his arrest. The case was heard before the United States District Court for New York Northern District, Syracuse. It was assigned to Senior Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr and referred to Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz. [Case number: 5:21cv1227]
Cause
On or around Wednesday, November 11, 2020, Defendants Laura Collins, David Martin, Shawn House, Thomas Brennan, and several Doe officers responded to a traffic incident involving minor C.B. on County Route 48 in Lysander, New York. When they arrived, minor C.B. was sitting in his mother’s vehicle, hands raised, dome light on, and the vehicle in park.
Upon arrival, the Defendants forcibly opened the driver’s door and shouted obscenities at minor C.B. They then roughly seized his arms, threw him to the ground, and shouted expletives. During this forceful arrest, they strangled, kicked, and kneed minor C.B., while continuing to hurl insults. They violently handcuffed him, lifted him by the handcuffs, and body-slammed him onto the ground and against the vehicle. The defendants excessively and brutally beat minor C.B.
Throughout the arrest, minor C.B. repeatedly apologized and begged for mercy, pleading, “Please don’t kill me.” The Doe Officers responded with expletives and obscene language.
At the police station, defendants Laura Collins, David Martin, Shawn House, Thomas Brennan, and the Doe officers continued to insult minor C.B., using profane language. Despite his visible injuries, they refused to provide him with medical care.
When Minor C.B.’s mother arrived at the police station, the officers did not inform her about the excessive force they had used against her son or that they had pointed guns at him.
Injury
After the beating, Minor C.B. experienced headaches and dizziness. Additionally, he suffered from pain in his left elbow, shoulder, and knee. His knee was unable to bear weight.
He endured both physical and emotional injuries. He suffered brain damage, and he had a bruise on the side of his head. His left arm was bruised and injured. He experienced concussion syndrome, which led to frequent headaches. Additionally, he suffered from nightmares, insomnia, and overall misery.
Damages
Minor C.B. experienced several damages, including anxiety, emotional distress, and humiliation. He also faced fear, discomfort, and a loss of enjoyment in life. His injuries caused him significant inconvenience and suffering.
Physically, Minor C.B. sustained severe injuries to his face, head, shoulders, wrists, knees, and back. He also suffered from headaches, nightmares, and insomnia. As a result, he required and continued to need medical treatment for both his physical and psychological conditions.
The harm inflicted by the Defendants, and each of them, caused Minor C.B. ongoing medical issues and necessitated continuous care.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
- Plaintiff(s): Liza Acquah Custodial Parent of C.B., a Minor formerly known as Liza A. | Caillou Boykins
- Counsel for Plaintiff(s): A. Cabral Bonner | Charles A. Bonner | Jesse P. Ryder
- Defendant(s): Onondaga County | Laura Collins in her individual capacity | David Martin in his individual capacity | Deputy Shawn House in his individual capacity | Doe 1-20
- Counsel for Defendant(s): John E. Heisler, Jr.
Claims
The Plaintiff presented the following claims in their Complaint:
Federal Claims
- Violation of Civil Rights – Use of Excessive Force
Defendants used excessive and unreasonable force against Minor C.B. or failed to prevent their colleagues from doing so. Minor C.B., a law-abiding citizen, was beaten without justification. Defendants either inflicted excessive force or failed to intervene. - Violation of Civil Rights – Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments: Failure to Intercede
Defendant Officers, Sheriff Conway, and Does 1-20 did not intervene, violating Minor C.B.’s rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. Despite Minor C.B. peacefully surrendering and parking his vehicle, they failed to protect him from unreasonable searches and seizures or deprivation of liberty. - Monell Claim (42 U.S.C. § 1983)
Plaintiff claims Onondaga County is liable for constitutional violations by its officers due to poor training, supervision, and hiring practices. The county’s failure to discipline officers and inadequate guidelines for arrests and use of force contributed to Minor C.B.’s rights being violated. - False Arrest
Minor C.B. alleges that Defendants Laura Collins, David Martin, Shawn House, Thomas Brennan, and Doe Officers violated his Fourth Amendment rights by conducting an unreasonable search and seizure and depriving him of his liberty. - Failure to Provide Medical Care
Minor C.B. asserts that Defendants Laura Collins, David Martin, Shawn House, Thomas Brennan, and Doe Officers failed to provide medical care after taking him into custody. - Excessive Force
Due to excessive force used by Defendants Laura Collins, David Martin, Shawn House, Thomas Brennan, and Doe Officers, Minor C.B. suffered serious injuries and did not receive medical care. - Assault and Battery
Minor C.B. alleges that Defendants assaulted him. The reasonableness of the force used is disputed, and the court will determine if Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.
New York State Law Causes of Action
- Violation of New York State Law – False Imprisonment
Minor C.B. claims Defendants falsely imprisoned him without probable cause, making them liable for his damages. - Violation of New York State Law – Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Defendants used excessive force on Minor C.B., causing severe emotional and physical injuries. Their conduct, including denying medical care, was extreme and unacceptable. - Violation of New York State Law – Negligent Training, Hiring, Retention, Discipline & Supervision
Onondaga County is accused of failing to train, supervise, and hire officers properly, leading to unlawful behavior and rights violations. - Violation of New York State Law – Assault
Defendants assaulted Minor C.B., causing permanent damage. Their actions were intentional and malicious, warranting punitive damages. - Violation of New York State Law – Battery
Defendants are accused of assaulting and battering Minor C.B., resulting in permanent harm. Their conduct was intentional and malicious, justifying punitive damages. - Violation of New York State Law – False Arrest
Minor C.B. claims Doe Officers falsely arrested him by conducting an unreasonable search and seizure, depriving him of his liberty. - Violation of New York State Law – Punitive Damages
Minor C.B. seeks $3,000,000 in punitive damages from each Defendant to protect the community. - Violation of New York State Law – Respondeat Superior
Plaintiff Liza Acquah claims Onondaga County is liable under respondeat superior for the Defendants’ actions, including excessive force, false imprisonment, false arrest, assault, and battery.
Defense
The Defendants rejected the Plaintiff’s claims, arguing that any injury to C.B. happened while he was committing acts that significantly violated state law. According to state public policy, the court cannot award damages for injuries caused by C.B.’s own substantial legal violations.
The Defendants claimed qualified immunity for any actions stemming from their reasonable, good-faith decisions while performing governmental duties. They asserted that any force used against C.B. was justified and proper, either for defending people, and property, or performing a public duty. Additionally, they contended that any detention of C.B. was warranted and appropriate, given a reasonable belief that he had committed a crime.
Jury Verdict
By the trial, minor C.B. had become an adult and his real name, Caillou Boykins, was used in the court documents. On August 29, 2024, the jury favored the Defendants and returned a verdict of no cause. The jury determined that Defendants Collins, Martin, and Shawn House had not used excessive force on the Plaintiff during his arrest. No damages were awarded to the Plaintiff.
On August 30, 2024, Honorable Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., entered the judgment in favor of Defendants Laura Collins, David Martin, and Shawn House and the action was dismissed
Court Documents:
Available upon request
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